A few years ago, I spread through the net the Diablo Film was listed at the Under Development section of the Legendary Pictures website. It was removed from the list within 24-hours after it went all around the world. I remember looking around the net for clues, and I remember Gary Whitta appeared in my radar as writer of the script. Also as been involved in the Warcraft movie script. I think he also had a Starcraft story in his website. Suddenly, his website disappeared, with all trace and evidence.

I didn’t save anything of what I found on his website nor took pictures—to my shame, and he redirected the domain name to his blog. I contacted him, shortly after and he never replied. He is been hidden in some underground fallout bunker—a la Blast From The Past—because I rarely managed to find any comments linking him to the Warcraft or Diablo film, except for his Death, Jr. Series. His blog hasn’t been updated since July 29, 2007.

Today, Gary Whitta incredibly made a statement about his involvement in the WARCRAFT FILM’s script, which is now void with the introduction of Sam Raimi to the project. Really gives me a headache to think, I didn’t download anything of what I found on his website back then. The guy literally disappeared after the whole Diablo Film buzz, until now. Read below his statement.

Gary Whitta: I had actually been working on this for the past two years. Had to keep it under wraps at the time but it doesn’t really matter now.

I worked very closely with Legendary and Blizzard to come up with a screenplay that distilled the sprawling Warcraft mythology into a narrative that was easily accessible to the non-player, and everyone was really pleased with the results – I personally thought my last draft of the script in particular was really kick-ass and did a good job of introducing the Warcraft world to non-players while also satisfying hardcore players who knew every nook and cranny of the universe. When Sam expressed interest in the property, however, he had his own pretty specific vision of what he wanted to do story-wise so that’s the version they’re now pursuing. I’m no longer involved but I wish them all the best with it; so far as I’m concerned Raimi is the best possible director for this.

Blizzard Entertainment and the Legendary Pictures executives have been too strict and cryptic about revealing the Warcraft Film’s Director, writer and cast. Rumors went around a few years ago that the writer was Gary Whitta, but it has not been confirmed. On 2005, Blizzard and Legendary revealed one concept art from the Warcraft film ideas. It was an image of Teldrassil seen from a Darkshore perspective.

Chris Metzen said at the same event there were plans for an Alliance character, an anti-Thrall. Obviously, this was in reference to King Varian Wrynn, who was still missing at that point until he debuted in the comic book, unveiled in July 2007 at the San Diego Comic Con. Brandon Routhe (Superman) showed interest in working on the Warcraft Film. He plays World of Warcraft. Will Routhe play as King Varian? Hmm. The latest update on this Warcraft Film was reported by Ancilorn on the official wow-europe forums:

The Writers Guild of America, Hollywood writers union and Screen Actors Guild claim that Film studios aren’t fulfilling their agreement after the strike held a year ago. The writers and actors want to be paid royalties for internet reruns on Films made after 1971 and TV shows made after 1977 as the agreement stipulated. The film studios want to pay royalties for internet reruns for films and shows made after February 13, 2008.

There is obviously a great deal of problems ahead of the industry if this dispute is not settled. If a new strike is held, this could potentially affect the development of the World of Warcraft film … yet again. As of two weeks ago, Frank Pearce revealed a screenwriter and a director have not been appointed by Legendary Pictures to date. This process would gain further delays if the strike becomes reality in upcoming weeks.—Read more.

The two unions appear to be reading from the same script with an eye to disrupting the upcoming Hollywood awards season, much as last year

Blizzard COO Paul Sams told Guardian during an interview with Greg Howson (Guardian.co.uk) that a director has not been decided yet, but two producers are now onboard.

How’s the movie going?

Paul Sams: We’re in the second or third draft at the moment. We’re interviewing directors and have added two of the producers of the Dark Knight as well. They are onboard. I’m so excited about that. The directors we have spoken to have put forward their ideas and we’re making progress. We’re as confident as ever in Legendary Pictures as they did a great job on the Dark Knight. Will we make 2009? Time is tight and things would have to go really right for that to happen. I wouldn’t rule 2009 out but like our games we only want to release when are happy. I don’t think it’s too far away though.

WCRadio put up the video of the Legendary Pictures Panel held at Blizzcon 2007, where Chris Metzen, Paul Sams and Thomas Tull (Legendary Pictures Chairman) discussed details of the Film with fans. The video lasts 43 minutes, and it is very amusing, humorous and informative. At the end you will see a concept art that shows Teldrassil. If that is a hint of things to see, we will probably see Darnassus city and of course Tyrande Whisperwind.

It will be a live action film portraying a war conflict between the Alliance and the Horde. The timeframe is set to a year before the events of the MMORPG. The main character will be a new heroe described to be kick-ass Human. Most of the story is told from the point of view of the Alliance, but there will be Horde elements with Thrall making it to the big screen. Thomas Tull hinted they want to make the first film a masterpiece that will make fans be excited of seeing what we we see everyday in the MMO come to live—and by saying “first film” basically let the cat out that they envision more films based on World of Warcraft.